Class 12 student barred from exams, may move court

Bhopal, Feb 23 (IANS) A Class 12 student in Madhya Pradesh suffering from cancer may move the high court after she was barred from taking the final practical examinations due to less attendance. Rejecting the plea of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) that a student cannot be allowed to appear for exams merely on the grounds of short attendance, the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) asked the girl to move the state high court and also offered legal aid, official sources said.

Mariam Fawaz, a Class 12 student, was barred from appearing in the final practical examinations held Jan 31, Feb 2 and Feb 8 this year, on the ground of ’short attendance’.

Mariam’s mother Obeida Khalil approached the MPHRC and informed the commission her daughter could not fulfil the norm of minimum 75 percent attendance as she was seriously ill.

“She is suffering from cancer and could not attend classes due to prolonged frequent medical sessions, which are necessary for her treatment,” Obeida told the commission.

MPHRC urged the school authorities to adopt leniency and allow her to take the examination as her attendance was short due to a valid reason. The school, however, told the commission that it was bound by the rules of the CBSE and thus helpless in the matter.

Thereafter, the commission faxed a letter to CBSE chairman in Delhi and CBSE office Ajmer urging them that she be allowed to take the exam, but to no avail. CBSE Ajmer regional officer told the commission that the girl can’t be allowed to sit for the examination as her attendance was below 75 percent.

However, MPHRC declined the argument presented by the Ajmer regional officer and has asked the girl to move the high court, if she wants.